lifeasmission

Trying to Live John 17:21

December 10, 2006

Ok, I have had a chance to cool down and here’s the deal.  I kinda feel bad for lashing out like I did, but not totally.  A blogging buddy of mine, Todd Hiestand, recently posted a sermon he delivered.  In that sermon he talked about how he has felt convicted over talking badly about other Christians whose styles and methods are an embarrassment to him.  His point was that Jesus imagined a world that would be convinced that the Father was in Him on account of the unity of his followers (John 17:21).  That should be more than enough reason for us to be weary of doing anything that could hinder that project.  So, in that regard, I want to apologize for the harsh way I criticized Mark Driscoll.  He is a brother in Christ, he loves Jesus, and is doing his best to live a life that honors his commitment to God and others.  In all this we stand united.  Truth be told, Mark has some great insights and I even include one of his messages on my resource page.

But true love does not pass over or dismiss differences.  Jesus criticized his disciples, Paul never shied away from calling a spade a spade, and Jesus also gave the church the responsibility of binding and loosing, the responsibility of discerning.  And though I love Mark and stand united with him in what I said before, I am also embarrassed by some of the things he says, more often, by the way that he says them.

If anyone wants to talk more specifically about what it was that set me off I am open to doing that, but I would rather do it in person, over the phone, or via email.  As I am more concerned about presenting a united front than I am with criticizing, I think that would be the wiser way to deal with it.

Sorry Mark, God bless you in your life and ministry.  I pray that over and above what I said before, we can stand united in our effort to remain humble in our approach to knowing God and in dealing with others.

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Posted in: Jesus, justice